Pain-Free Cooking AVOID INJURY THIS THANKSGIVING
Use Your Tools If you are older or suffer from arthritis, this is an especially important point. Ergonomic kitchen utensils are available to make many cooking tasks, from slicing to stirring, easier to handle. Using oven mitts rather than pot holders also lets you grip hot items with greater confidence and reduces the likelihood of an accident. Lifting the Turkey All right, here’s the big one: One of the easiest ways to hurt your back is to lift a heavy object while simultaneously twisting your torso — the exact thing one might do when trying to take a turkey out of the oven in a single fluid motion. Do not put yourself and the feast at risk. Lift with your legs, straighten all the way up, and then turn to where you want to carve it. No one wants to throw their back out before Black Friday. We hope you have a safe and happy start to the holiday season. If any aches or pains develop as the weather gets colder, feel free to swing by and let our physical therapy experts get you moving again!
Whenever an activity involves heavy lifting or repetitive motion, it’s important to take steps to prevent injury. While back pain, carpal tunnel, and sore shoulders are normally associated with work- related injuries, it’s important to note that these issues can also result from working in the kitchen if you’re not careful. With the big feast coming up at the end of the month, here’s a guide to pain-free cooking! Mix It Up Even if you’re “just” chopping carrots or peeling potatoes, you may be exposing yourself to a repetitive strain injury. Standing for long periods with your shoulders hunched forward is also bad for your back. While it’s always important to keep an eye on your posture, the best way to avoid pain and stiffness is to do a mix of activities in short bursts. If you’re cooking with family, consider swapping jobs every six or seven minutes to give your body a break from the same motions and positions.
A FEAST FOR DOGS
THE BEST (AND WORST) THANKSGIVING TREATS
Hello, everyone!
to let your dog enjoy some turkey, make sure it’s boneless, skinless, and seasoning-free. No turkey legs for us, please!
Brice here, and I’m teaching Mookie about the awesome human holiday of Thanksgiving. This is Mookie’s first Thanksgiving, and we can’t wait until the kids come home for the break. Plus, there are always so many great smells in the air. Mookie is most excited for the food, but when it comes to Thanksgiving dinner, everyone should be aware of what dogs can and can’t eat. Back for Seconds Who doesn’t love turkey? In my opinion, it’s the best part of Thanksgiving dinner! Fortunately, turkey happens to be a great source of protein for dogs and humans alike. That said, if you’re going
Certain popular Thanksgiving sides are also very nutritious and safe for dogs to eat. Feel free to mix some raw pumpkin, unseasoned sweet or mashed potatoes, or cranberry sauce into your dog’s kibble for a real Thanksgiving treat. Just keep in mind that while dogs can enjoy some Thanksgiving treats, don’t feed us scraps from the table, no matter how much we beg! And make sure your Thanksgiving guests aren’t sneaking treats to your dog, either. Overeating can lead to pancreatitis in dogs. Keep Off the Menu As much as I hate to admit it, dogs really shouldn’t eat everything , no matter how good it smells. Salads might be good for humans, but some of the ingredients, like grapes, raisins, garlic, and onions, can make us sick. Thanksgiving desserts are also out of the question. Chocolate and sugar — especially artificial sweeteners — can be poisonous for dogs. Thanksgiving is a really awesome holiday, and I am excited to share it with Mookie for the first time, but it’s important to remember that dog diets and human diets are very different. I recommend checking out all the advice the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has at ASPCA.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/thanksgiving-safety-tips . No one will be thankful for an emergency trip to the vet on Black Friday.
With these tips in mind, dogs and humans alike should be able to have a happy Thanksgiving.
– Brice
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